Masdar + Bapco partner on wind projects: Renewables giant Masdar and Bahrain’s state-owned energy investment firm Bapco Energies signed an agreement to explore developing up to 2 GW of wind projects in Bahrain, according to a statement. The agreement focuses on near-shore and offshore wind farms for Masdar’s inaugural project in Bahrain.
The move marks Masdar’s first entrance into Bahrain’s wind sector, and will stand as the region’s first offshore wind facility once completed. No timeline or financial details were disclosed.
Not Masdar’s first overseas wind project under development in the region: Masdar, Hassan Allam Utilities, and Infinity Power are set to start construction on their 10 GW wind farm in Egypt in 1Q 2025. Once completed, the plant will be the country’s largest wind energy project to date. Masdar was also looking to acquire a stake in Turkey’s top wind power producer Fiba Yenilenebilir Enerji in September but is currently stalled over a price dispute.
The firm’s international wind portfolio is on the rise too: As part of its plans to expand its global presence, Masdar has reached financial close on EUR 488 mn in funding to secure its 49% acquisition of the 476 MW Baltic Eagle wind farm last month. Last week, the UK granted Masdar, Equinor, and China Resources Power development consent for the Dudgeon Extension, an expansion of the existing 402 MW Dudgeon offshore wind project. Masdar owns 35% of the wind farm. It also connect edits 500 MW Zarafshan wind farm to Uzbekistan’s electricity grid in January.
IN OTHER ENERGY NEWS-
Amea Power inks 20-year power purchase agreement in South Africa: Renewables company Amea Power signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with South African state power company Eskom for the 120 MW Doornhoek solar energy plant, according to a statement. The USD 120 mn solar plant will generate over 325 GWh of clean energy, offsetting 290k tons of CO2 emissions annually, and powering 25k homes.
The details: Amea holds the majority of the project’s shares, on which it partnered with Ziyanda Energy and Dzimuzwo Energy, the statement notes. The project will be financed through debt funding from Standard Bank South Africa and equity funding from the Industrial Development Corporation.
It’s Amea’s first project in the country: Amea Power was awarded the 120 MW project in 2022 with construction set to begin mid-2023. The company had secured sites for building more renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 1 GW in South Africa.